Great piece Carl, and nice picture of the Clay-colored Sparrow—happy to read you saw one. That’d be a lifer for me too. The National Bison Range is excellent for wildlife viewing.
Big years seem to bring much more positivity than just a number. I keep mine to myself. When I think about a woodpecker, a Chestnut-sided Warbler, or a Fox Sparrow, I don’t remember it as “ah yes, #137.” It’s about the moments not the tally.
Most aspects of life seem to improve when slowed down. The same is likely true for birding. Thank you for writing and sharing.
Still a great birding year Carl. And I like that point you made about the slowing down to enjoy birding instead of worrying about the number: quality over quantity for sure.
I've fallen out of the bird counting the past few years myself and am way more aware and appeciative of my 'usual suspects' as I like to call them: Black-capped Chickadees, Northern Cardinals, White-breasted Nuthatches, Downie Woodpeckers, and two families of American Crows. This motley group have become almost like hiking companions on my Nature hikes and I have grown so much more from the experiences.
Don’t forget the red-necked grebes that made you cry, which we just happened to spot when we were testing your new scope!
Sounds like you got your priorities straight! It is about enjoying the wonder not the count!
Good article, I'm definitely a fan of slow birding!
Great piece Carl, and nice picture of the Clay-colored Sparrow—happy to read you saw one. That’d be a lifer for me too. The National Bison Range is excellent for wildlife viewing.
Big years seem to bring much more positivity than just a number. I keep mine to myself. When I think about a woodpecker, a Chestnut-sided Warbler, or a Fox Sparrow, I don’t remember it as “ah yes, #137.” It’s about the moments not the tally.
Most aspects of life seem to improve when slowed down. The same is likely true for birding. Thank you for writing and sharing.
Still a great birding year Carl. And I like that point you made about the slowing down to enjoy birding instead of worrying about the number: quality over quantity for sure.
I've fallen out of the bird counting the past few years myself and am way more aware and appeciative of my 'usual suspects' as I like to call them: Black-capped Chickadees, Northern Cardinals, White-breasted Nuthatches, Downie Woodpeckers, and two families of American Crows. This motley group have become almost like hiking companions on my Nature hikes and I have grown so much more from the experiences.
Enjoy the slowing down and learning adventure!